Thursday, February 22, 2007

Baby Group

I joined an English-Speaking Moms group here in Paris. I have met an incredible group of women. Each week we have a regular Baby Group on Thursdays, and then usually one other day a week we have other events- like picnics, swimming, breastfeeding information meetings, etc. It's been so great to get to know these people and since everything is divided by where you live, all the events are close to my house.I find the groups very reassuring. It's a place where you can meet people who are dealing with some of the same things, and you realize that you are not the only one who has doubts about your parenting abilities. I think when you're a first time parent, you try to be prepared for all the new things you need to do. You learn all about feeding, bathing, and changing. And then, something unexpected happens. You think that you are drying them well after each change, but they get a little raw spot of diaper rash. You think you have know how long they need to feed, and then it takes twice as long and the baby is still hungry. You think that you can keep them asleep if you put them down a certain way, and then they become more sensitive and wake up no matter what you do. The great part is, that in this group, someone has been through the same thing and they probably have great advice to correct it.But my favorite thing about Baby Group is seeing all these sweet, adorable babies together. It warms my heart to look around the room at all these children who will be the Love Bug's peers. They are all healthy and strong, with parents who love them. As much as the media focuses on all the things that are wrong in the world today, it's incredible to see that so much is right.

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I'm a wife, mother of two, and a musician. When I'm not making music, I love to read, go to the gym, and play with my kids. I'm from North Carolina, lived eight years overseas as an adult, and love to travel.